It’s Quiz time
Family History
The genealogy products and services market, often referred to as family history, is expected to grow from $3.78 billion in 2022 to $8.84 billion by 2030. Turns out the people of the world are on to something! Take the quiz and find out some reasons why it might be important for you and your children to know your grandparents and your ancestors – and especially to learn their stories.
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How much do you know? Take the Quiz and find out!
Once you complete the quiz, check out the HomeFront Project and dive deeper into this subject.
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Results
#1. What percentage of parents report sharing family stories with their infants before they are old enough to comprehend and engage in the storytelling?
It is natural for families to include their newest members in storytelling. Stories are an incredible way for individuals to learn how the world works. “Families that share stories, stories about parents and grandparents, about triumphs and failures, provide powerful models for children. Children understand who they are in the world not only through their individual experience, but through the filters of family stories that provide a sense of identity through historical time”
#2. Select all that apply: What benefits do children have when they know and understand their immediate family history (their parents and grandparents history)?
Studies have shown that children who are able to answer 20 “Do You Know?” questions about their immediate family history have stronger emotional health and happiness when compared to children who cannot answer the same questions. Some examples of the questions are: “Do you know where your mom and dad went to high school?” “Do you know where your grandparents grew up?” “Do you know of an illness or something really terrible that happened in your family?”
When children know who and where they came from, they are more secure in themselves and able to draw strength from the stories of their family.
#3. Thinking about and remembering one’s “genetic origin” (ancestors) increases one’s intellectual performance…True or False: Only remembering positive ancestral stories contributes to one’s intellectual performance.
It doesn’t matter which types of stories one thinks about regarding their ancestors- remembering both the positive and negative can lead to an increase in intellectual performance! Their stories are powerful reminders that we can overcome hardships in our own lives.
#4. In Kazakhstan, the citizens are asked to know their ancestors going back _____ generations?
“To know who your ancestors are is the same as knowing the road that leads you home.” In
Kazakhstan, the citizens are asked to know their ancestors going back seven generations [zhety ata]. Knowing your shezhyre [family tree], “embodies the lore that surround[s] every social event.” It is the “cultural medium through which [Kazakhs] express their values, construct and communicate their perceptions of social organization, and maintain local politics.”
#5. There are two categories of storytelling: Family stories and Non-family stories. “Family stories are tales about people, places, and events related to the members of our immediate family or ancestors. Non-family stories can be defined as tales about people, places and events which are not related to members of our immediate family or their ancestors.” True or False: Family stories are more impactful on identity formation than Non-family stories.
Family stories are very impactful for identity formation because it teaches children where they came from, how they fit into the world and what values their family has passed down through the generations. A strong family narrative sets standards for the children to aim for.
#6. Bonus question from last week: In 2023, what percentage of single-mother households were living in poverty?
Women raising children without the help of a husband are more likely to live in poverty. In fact, last year 1 out of every 3 single-mother households were below the poverty line. Poverty adds another layer onto a child’s chances of committing crime or dropping out of school. These numbers emphasize how important it is for children to be raised in a strong two-parent household, with love and care.